10 Dangers of Suboxone Abuse You Need to Know

Suboxone is a prescription drug used to treat people who are dependent on opioids. With a combination of buprenorphine and naloxone, this medication has been proven successful in treating adults who are suffering from this type of addiction.

While there is a lot of information available in regards to this medication assisted treatment, it is important for you to learn more about the pros, cons, and risks if you believe it is the best option for you or a loved one.

Many people have successfully overcome an opioid dependency with the help of Suboxone, but that does not necessarily mean it is the right strategy for you.

Suboxone Abuse can Happen

There are a variety of dangers associated with Suboxone use.

Despite the fact that Suboxone has been proven successful for the treatment of opioid addiction, that does not mean the medication is 100 percent safe. There are people who have abused this drug, thus finding themselves in even more trouble.

Here are 10 dangers associated with Suboxone abuse:

1. Sleeping problems. When a person begins to take Suboxone, they could soon realize they are facing a variety of sleeping problems, including the inability to fall asleep and stay asleep. This can lead to other issues that are every bit as dangerous.
2. Nausea. This may not be fatal, but it is a danger to be aware of. Anybody who abuses Suboxone will soon realize it is taking a toll on his or her digestive system. The nausea can lead to vomiting and diarrhea, as well as eventual weight loss.
3. Flu symptoms. Despite the fact that Suboxone abuse can cause flu like symptoms, many people continue to take the drug because they like the way it makes them feel. Once the effect wears off, they are left with symptoms including but not limited to nausea, headache, stomach pain, and joint pain.
4. Emotional highs and lows. This is one of the most significant dangers of Suboxone abuse, as users will have mood swings that range from extreme highs to extreme lows.
5. Dangerous to an unborn baby. If a woman abuses Suboxone while pregnant, the drug is passed on to the baby, which could lead to birth defects among a number of other problems. If the Suboxone is taken away, a newborn baby can go through withdrawal, just the same as the mother.
6. Abnormal response to stress. It can be a challenge to deal with stress, even if you are 100 percent sober and in a good place. If you add Suboxone to the mix, this can change for the worse. People who are abusing this drug find it challenging to deal with any stress in their life. Instead, they turn to the drug, which only makes everything worse.
7. Tolerance. This is dangerous for one primary reason: it could lead you to take even more Suboxone in the future. Once you are at a point where the current level of the drug is not having an impact, the only option is to take more. Of course, the more of the drug that enters your body the more impact it can have on your health.
8. Criminal behavior. While not always the case, there are times when a person who is addicted to Suboxone will turn to criminal behavior. They do this for many reasons, including the fact that they are high and do not know any better. There are also people who run out of Suboxone to abuse, thus forcing them into a life of crime to get their hands on more drugs.
9. Damaged personal relationships. All drugs have the tendency to do this, and Suboxone is no different. When a person is abusing a drug, it will not be long before their family begins to realize this is true. Unfortunately, some people are not willing to accept help. Instead, they shun others and find themselves in a worse position.
10. Suboxone overdose. While not common, it is possible for a person to overdose on Suboxone. When this happens, it is not out of the question that the end result could be fatal. There is a greater chance of Suboxone overdose when the drug is mixed with others, such as heroin, and/or alcohol.

Listen to Your Doctor

Have you been prescribed Suboxone as a means of treating an opioid addiction? If so, it is imperative to follow the direction of your doctor. There is nothing wrong with taking this medication, as long as you are doing so to better your life.

If a doctor does not prescribe Suboxone or you are told to stop taking the drug, it is a must to stay away. There is no denying the fact that it can be addictive, so you don’t want to cross the line.

There are many dangers of Suboxone abuse, with some of the most common detailed above. Knowing these dangers should be enough to avoid the drug or to get the help you need to beat your addiction.